Mexico Faces Ecuador in FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16

Kathmandu. FIFA World Cup, in the race for the last 16, co-host Mexico is facing Ecuador at its historic Azteca Stadium. The team that wins this game, which started in Mexico City, will compete for a place in the quarterfinals against the winner of the match between England or the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). It is very interesting to see which country's supporters will celebrate when the final whistle blows.

Mexico, trained by Javier Aguirre, had not conceded any goals in all three group stage matches and is currently on a six-game winning streak. Mexico's last defeat was in the last game of 2025. In the 11 games played since then, the team has achieved 9 wins and 2 draws, conceding only two goals to the opposition during this period.

Mexico, which reached the quarterfinals when it hosted the World Cup in 1970 and 1986, aims to achieve better results this time. Mexico has also become the first nation to host the World Cup three times in its history.

Coach Aguirre may also field the 17-year-old young player Gilberto Mora in the starting eleven for this match. Mora, who debuted against Czechia, became the youngest player to play in the World Cup for Mexico. However, the talented young star player from Tijuana is more likely to come in from the bench.

On the other hand, Ecuador, captained by Sebastian Becaccece, has gradually found its rhythm after failing to score in the first two group stage matches. A spectacular comeback and victory against Germany in the final group match proved decisive for Ecuador. With this victory, the team has reached this stage by finishing as the fourth-best third-placed team.

The victory against Germany has also ended Ecuador's poor run of being winless in nine consecutive matches against European teams. Ecuador had previously reached the knockout stage of the World Cup only in 2006, where the team was defeated 1-0 by England.

This is only the second time in Ecuador's history that it has passed the group stage. In such a situation, 23-year-old Nelson Angulo, who plays professional football in Sunderland, could become a hero to take the team forward, having scored in 3 of the last 6 matches he has played for the country.